Formative qualitative evaluation of Family Adventures in ADHD, a parent-training group

A formative qualitative evaluation of the Family Adventures in ADHD, a parent-training group, was conducted in order to gain insight and understanding into the group participant's experience and perceptions of the group. A qualitative research design was utilized as it was neither possible to randomly assign groups, nor were the number of participants in the study large enough to allow for the detection of any practical or significant changes in behavior or skills knowledge. In addition, the program's stakeholders sought to gain insight and understanding into the group participant's experience and perceptions of the group, not necessarily to quantify changes in specific behavior or gains in skills or knowledge. Eight parents who participated in the Family Adventure Group agreed to take part in an interview designed to assess their perceptions of the group. Data was gathered through a review of relevant program documents and open-ended interviews designed to assess group member's perceptions of the group. After data was collected, its content was qualitatively analyzed utilizing an affinity diagram in order to identify the categories and themes of the participants' experiences of the program. Results of the affinity diagram identified three categories: benefits to parents, benefits to the parent-child relationship, and recommendations for improvements. Within each category several themes were also identified. These themes included increases in knowledge and parenting skills, increases in parenting confidence, and increases in feelings of tolerance, empathy, and acceptance of a child's problem behavior. Additional recommendations for improving the Family Adventures Group are provided and limitations of the study are discussed.